Politics · United Kingdom · 3 days ago
UK plans to ban non-compete clauses for startups and scaleups
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the government plans to legislate against non-compete clauses for startups and scaleups.
He made the announcement at the Innovation Nation Summit in Manchester.
These clauses are terms in employment contracts that can stop workers from joining a competing business or setting up a startup.
The government says removing them could make it easier for promising firms to hire and grow.
Tech startups including ElevenLabs and Synthesia have campaigned to limit their use.
The Startup Coalition has also called for changes, arguing that mobile talent helps startups build faster.
The government will now set out its plans for the ban.
The UK plans to ban non-compete clauses for startups and scaleups.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham confirmed the plan at the Innovation Nation Summit in Manchester.
The government says the change is intended to remove barriers to hiring and support innovation.
The announcement follows a campaign by tech startups, including ElevenLabs and Synthesia, to limit non-compete clauses and extended notice periods.
- Who
- The UK government, with Prime Minister Andy Burnham announcing the plan.
- What
- The government plans to legislate to ban non-compete clauses for startups and scaleups.
- When
- October 9, 2026. Burnham made the announcement at the summit that day.
- Where
- The Innovation Nation Summit in Manchester.
- Why
- The government says the change will remove barriers to hiring and support innovation and economic growth.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tech startups including ElevenLabs and Synthesia campaigned to limit non-compete clauses and extended notice periods.
Andy Burnham confirmed the plan at the Innovation Nation Summit in Manchester.
- Proposed ban
- Non-compete clauses for UK startups and scaleups
- Announcement
- Andy Burnham, at the Innovation Nation Summit
- Location
- Manchester
- Campaigning companies
- ElevenLabs and Synthesia
What people are saying
I can confirm that we will legislate to make sure that non-compete clauses will no longer be a barrier to hiring for our most promising startups and scaling firms.
Barriers to that slow our ecosystem down.
Sources
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